[calfishguy]

I have a 55 gallon tank that has a ac70. I do one 50% water change a week. Nitrates are usually between 10-20ppm. I will most likely be adding either a fluval 406 or a second ac 70 soon.

I was wondering if i could add more fish. Its well established and has been running for over a year and a half.

Current stock:
2 dwarf gouramis
2 boesmani rainbows
1 trificshiata rainbow
4 lemon tetras
2 brisltenose plecos
8 black skirt tetras
1 leopard gourami
according to aquadvisor its 86% stocked

Here is what I would possibly like to do in the future:
2 dwarf gouramis
4 boesmani rainbows
1 trificshiata rainbow
6 lemon tetras
2 brisltenose plecos
8 black skirt tetras
1 leopard gourami
2 german blue rams
according to aquadvisor that whould be 111% stocking.

Thanks!!!

 

[Olympia]

I think you are fine to add, but I would change what you are adding..

I would not add the dwarf gouramis, your current ones probably have their territory established and might not appreciate new comers.
I would definitely not add another leopard gourami (if you mean ctenopoma by this). If you had added a group of them they would have been fine, but from what I've read once they grow up you cannot add more to the tank since they will be too aggressive.
Instead of those I would add more rainbowfish..

The German blue ram, I don't think this fish is suitable for the tank, as I think they need really warm water that these fish won't like, but I might be wrong as I don't know about them much.

 

[calfishguy]

I think you are fine to add, but I would change what you are adding..

I would not add the dwarf gouramis, your current ones probably have their territory established and might not appreciate new comers.
I would definitely not add another leopard gourami (if you mean ctenopoma by this). If you had added a group of them they would have been fine, but from what I've read once they grow up you cannot add more to the tank since they will be too aggressive.
Instead of those I would add more rainbowfish..

The German blue ram, I don't think this fish is suitable for the tank, as I think they need really warm water that these fish won't like, but I might be wrong as I don't know about them much.

Oaky i think you may have misunderstood my first post. I would only add the rams, 2 boesmanis and 2 lemon tetras.

 

[Olympia]

Ahh, then that should be fine.. Still the issue about the rams. Have you read our profile for them?

 

[calfishguy]

Ahh, then that should be fine.. Still the issue about the rams. Have you read our profile for them?

I have read your profile and 80-82 isnt really that hot IMO. My 55 is at 78 and bringing it a tad higher really wouldnt be a big deal

 

[jentralala]

That would be too warm for the other fish in the tank, is what she means. It would stress them out.

 

[calfishguy]

That would be too warm for the other fish in the tank, is what she means. It would stress them out.

Not trying to offend anyone but IME most fish will be fine in the 76-83 range as long as they are properly acclimated/the temperature is raised slowly. The temp thing is not really a concern for me. My tank was actually at 80 until a few weeks ago when I read an article about high temps. It might actually have been on this site.

 

[jentralala]

It shortens their lifespan because they have to work harder to do normal everyday things. They can handle extreme temps for short periods of time but that's it, then it starts to stress them out and weakens their immune system.

 

[calfishguy]

It shortens their lifespan because they have to work harder to do normal everyday things. They can handle extreme temps for short periods of time but that's it, then it starts to stress them out and weakens their immune system.

I myself won't call 80° an extreme difference from 78 but that's just me. I also checked three websites and two of my books and I believe 78 is fine for rams. Just to confirm something though do you know if there are references for the info in the fish profiles.

 

[AndrewM21]

I myself won't call 80° an extreme difference from 78 but that's just me. I also checked three websites and two of my books and I believe 78 is fine for rams. Just to confirm something though do you know if there are references for the info in the fish profiles.

Rams prefer 76-78 but will do absolutely fine in 80 degree water granted you accurately acclimate them to the temperature. You should not expect to see any decrease in life span by keeping them at that temperature.

Profiles are based on "general" fish information, and do not accurately describe every fish. You should use these as a general rule of thumb when picking out new fish, but it's perfectly fine to change the parameters.

I have mixed parameters for a lot of fish and have had no issues doing so. Granted I would never severely alter their parameters, but small changes should have no ill effect. If you were keeping a cool water fish (IE 72 recommended and you kept them at 80) then you would see a decrease in their life span.

Hope this helps.

 

[jaysee]

GBRs are warm water fish with a temp range from 78-85. Doesn't mean they can't be kept in cooler water, but I would not say that they prefer 76-78. In my experience they do better in the low 80s.

 

[calfishguy]

GBRs are warm water fish with a temp range from 78-85. Doesn't mean they can't be kept in cooler water, but I would not say that they prefer 76-78. In my experience they do better in the low 80s.

Okay thanks. Let's get back to the main question here. Do you think I would be okay stocking wise. I know someone already answered I just like multiple opinions.

 

[jaysee]

Okay thanks. Let's get back to the main question here. Do you think I would be okay stocking wise. I know someone already answered I just like multiple opinions.

From a bioload perspective, as long as you have the filtration and stay up on your maintenance, it will be fine. From a compatibility perspective, your stocking is not one that I would ever attempt, so I cannot speak to that. I'm glad it works for you, but in my experience things "work" till they don't. Sometimes things break down sooner, sometimes later. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it's very subtle. Stress manifests itself in different ways.

 

[calfishguy]

From a bioload perspective, as long as you have the filtration and stay up on your maintenance, it will be fine. From a compatibility perspective, your stocking is not one that I would ever attempt, so I cannot speak to that. I'm glad it works for you, but in my experience things "work" till they don't. Sometimes things break down sooner, sometimes later. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it's very subtle. Stress manifests itself in different ways.

What compatibility issues are you concerned about.

 

[rexpepper651]

man that list makes my 55 seem empty!

 

[jaysee]

What compatibility issues are you concerned about.

I've tried multiple dwarf gouramis and it ended badly. I've also seen lots of people try it and have refrained from saying "I told you so" more times than I can count. Add to that a ctenopoma. I know the two I've had were pretty aggressive once they grew up - the first so much so that I gave it away and started over with a new one. The second is aggressive too, but not as nasty as the first.. They get pretty big but are sold VERY small - I don't know how big yours is, but, it's not uncommon for the dynamics of a tank to change once fish grow and reach maturity.

Like I said, if its working for you, terrific. I've just seen things not work out enough times to not to take that risk. Stress can be a silent killer.

 

[BWG]

What compatibility issues are you concerned about.

Rainbowfish kept either singularly or in shoals that are too small, active fish with sedate fish, fish from soft acidic waters mixed with fish from hard alkaline water.

 

[calfishguy]

I've the dwarf gourami's for over a year and a half and happily they are getting along quite well IMO. The actually fallow each other around quite a bit. For the ctenopoma I'm afraid that you're right and in the future he may be an issue. (Sadly he was more of an impulse buy than anything else) I think that if I do go ahead with this in the future and it doesn't work I would most likely give him to my lfs. IME different species of rainbowfish tend to school together so hopefully that is what will happen. I've had my active rainbows with my calm dwarf gourami's for a while and they kinda just do their own thing. The rainbows tend to swim in the front and the gourami's tend to stick to the middle or back of the tank. As for the ph do you guys really change it. All I've read in other forums is that it is way better to have a stable ph than a unstable ph that is modifed with chemicals to try to suit your fish.

Thanks a lot guys I appreciate your help.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[jaysee]

Like I said, I'm glad the DGs are working for you. My friend had 2 in her 55 and one wound up dead this week. She doesn't think it was the other DG - doesn't know why it died. Just another example, though admittedly there is no direct correlation. There often isn't. As long as you are aware of the risks, is my point.

I have had rainbows with pearl gouramis for a while - its not been a problem for me. Doesn't mean it won't be for the next person, but that's my experience on the matter.

Yes rainbows of different species within the same genus will school together. But they also segregate themselves. I've got a school of 4 species - 3 melanotaenias and irian reds. The reds do their own thing. The yellows, turquoise and boesmani school together sometimes, and form 3 separate schools the rest of the time. When I had the 3 in a 90 gallon tank the schooled together much more frequently, but in the 125 it's much rarer. In my experience a larger tank discourages the schooling of multiple species. Your lone rainbow should stick with the boesmanis in a 55. Though I will say, in my opinion they will get too big for the tank.

 

[calfishguy]

Like I said, I'm glad the DGs are working for you. My friend had 2 in her 55 and one wound up dead this week. She doesn't think it was the other DG - doesn't know why it died. Just another example, though admittedly there is no direct correlation. There often isn't. As long as you are aware of the risks, is my point.

I have had rainbows with pearl gouramis for a while - its not been a problem for me. Doesn't mean it won't be for the next person, but that's my experience on the matter.

Yes rainbows of different species within the same genus will school together. But they also segregate themselves. I've got a school of 4 species - 3 melanotaenias and irian reds. The reds do their own thing. The yellows, turquoise and boesmani school together sometimes, and form 3 separate schools the rest of the time. When I had the 3 in a 90 gallon tank the schooled together much more frequently, but in the 125 it's much rarer. In my experience a larger tank discourages the schooling of multiple species. Your lone rainbow should stick with the boesmanis in a 55. Though I will say, in my opinion they will get too big for the tank.

Would any of you guys attempt this stock or a slightly modified version of this stock.